Reproductive and Developmental Biology

The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction (한국동물번식학회)
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Effects of Controlled Photoperiod on Body Development in Growing Juvenile Rats

  • Lee, Seung-Hoon (Department of Rehabilitation Science in Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Graduate School of Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Han-Ki (Department of Physical Therapy, Masan College) ;
  • Shin, Jin-Hee (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inje University) ;
  • Hong, Yun-Kyung (Department of Rehabilitation Science in Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Graduate School of Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Kil (Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease Center, College of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inje University) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Un (Department of Physical Therapy, Aomori University of Health and Welfare) ;
  • Suzuki, Takao (Department of Physical Therapy, Aomori University of Health and Welfare) ;
  • Kang, Tae-Young (College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University) ;
  • Hong, Yong-Geun (Department of Rehabilitation Science in Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Graduate School of Inje University)
  • Received : 2010.05.20
  • Accepted : 2010.06.21
  • Published : 2010.06.30
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Abstract

Melatonin is induced by light information through the retina and leads to growth factor activation. Thus, we investigated the effects of melatonin by controlling the photoperiod of growing young rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6; 4 weeks old) were divided into two experimental groups: the L/D group (normal photoperiod; light/dark: 12/12 h; lights on at 9:00 a.m.) and the L/L group (light/light: 24 h). Rat body weight and food consumption were measured daily for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were anesthetized with a mixture of ketamine (50 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) and sacrificed. Tissue was then collected for RNA isolation (from brain, heart, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, testis, tibia, hind limb muscles). Also, serum was isolated from blood using a centrifugal separation. The L/L group had significantly lower body weight than the L/D group from 4 to 6 weeks (p<0.05). The L/D group had increased tissue mass, compared with the L/L group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The L/D group had a significantly higher melatonin concentration than the L/L group between the hours of midnight and 2:00 a.m (p<0.01). These results indicate that photoperiod length may affect the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland. Also, the reduction of nocturnal melatonin secretion may retard the development of growing young rats. In future studies, we plan to compare exogenous melatonin administration with endogenous melatonin concentration induced by photoperiod control. Moreover, we will confirm whether the effects seen in pathological animal models can be reversed by controlling the photoperiod.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Rural Development Administration

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